Everything You Need for a VA Loan, on One List
Gather these once, start your application in about 2 minutes, and let us handle the Certificate of Eligibility, the credit review and the VA paperwork.
Applying for a VA loan is mostly paperwork you already have: an ID, your pay, your service record and your bank statements.
This VA loan document checklist lists what to gather before you apply, what active-duty buyers can skip, and what we pull for you. The JD.Mortgage Team at PRMG is a no-overlay VA lender. We have no minimum credit score, and if another lender said no, that is usually where our work starts. 25+ years, 3,100+ closed loans, Scotsman Guide Top Originator 2026. Lending in 49 states. New York excluded.
What Documents Do You Need for a VA Loan? The Short Answer
To apply for a VA loan, have a photo ID, your most recent pay stub or LES covering the last 30 days, 2 years of W-2s, your DD-214 or service documents, and 2 months of bank statements. Active-duty buyers and anyone with the same employer for more than 2 years can skip the W-2s. We pull your Certificate of Eligibility for you.
Who Needs What, at a Glance
| Document | Who needs it |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Everyone |
| Pay stub or LES (last 30 days) | Everyone |
| W-2s (2 years) | Not active duty, and less than 2 years with the same employer |
| DD-214 | Veterans |
| Points statement or discharge papers | National Guard or Reserves |
| Bank statements (2 months) | Everyone |
| Tax returns (2 years) | Self-employed |
| Certificate of Eligibility | We pull it |
Your VA Loan Document Checklist
Everyone
- ☐ Photo ID: driver’s license, state ID or passport
- ☐ Your most recent pay stub or LES (Leave and Earnings Statement), covering the last 30 days
- ☐ W-2s from the last 2 years. Not needed if you are active duty, or if you have been with the same employer for more than 2 years
- ☐ Bank statements: last 2 months, all pages
- ☐ VA disability award letter, if you have one. It can waive your VA funding fee.
Your service documents
- ☐ Veterans: DD-214
- ☐ National Guard or Reserves: retirement points statement or discharge papers
- ☐ Active duty: your LES covers it
Self-employed
- ☐ Last 2 years of personal tax returns, all pages
If it applies to you
- ☐ Divorce decree
- ☐ Child support or alimony orders
- ☐ Bankruptcy papers
- ☐ For more complex credit situations: the name and phone number of every landlord or property manager you have had in the last 2 years. If you lived rent-free, the name and number of the person you stayed with.
Not sure which documents apply to you? Start the application and we will tell you exactly what your file needs.
Start My VA ApplicationWhat We Pull for You
- Certificate of Eligibility: we request it directly from VA, usually in minutes.
- Credit report: we pull it after you apply. VA sets no minimum score, and neither do we.
- Employment check: we verify your job with your employer or your command.
VA judges credit on how you have paid over the last 12 months and why any past problems happened. See what no overlays means on a VA loan.
How to Apply for a VA Loan, Step by Step
Start the application
It takes about 2 minutes. No SSN and no credit pull on the first step.
We review your scenario
We look at income, debts and residual income, then tell you which documents your file needs.
Upload your documents
Use the checklist above. We pull the COE and credit.
Get your pre-approval
You shop with a letter built on VA guidelines, not lender overlays.
VA Loan Application FAQ
What documents do I need for a VA loan?
You need a photo ID, your most recent pay stub or LES covering the last 30 days, 2 years of W-2s, your DD-214 or service documents, and 2 months of bank statements. Active-duty buyers and borrowers with the same employer for more than 2 years do not need W-2s. We pull your Certificate of Eligibility.
Do I need my Certificate of Eligibility before I apply?
No. We request your Certificate of Eligibility directly from VA after you apply, usually in minutes. If VA needs more proof of service, we tell you exactly which document to send.
Do active-duty service members need W-2s for a VA loan?
No. If you are active duty, your LES shows your pay, and we do not need your W-2s or tax returns unless you also have self-employment income.
What is the minimum credit score for a VA loan?
VA sets no minimum credit score, and we do not add one. We look at how you have paid over the last 12 months, the reasons for any past problems, and your residual income.
Why would you ask for landlord contact information?
For more complex credit situations, we verify your rental history for the last 2 years. We ask for the name and phone number of each landlord or property manager. If you lived rent-free, we ask for the person you stayed with.
How long does it take to apply for a VA loan?
The first step takes about 2 minutes. Once we have your documents, we can usually review your file and issue a pre-approval quickly, depending on how complete the documents are.
Related Pages
About the Author
J.D. Peck is an Area Manager and Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS #314883) with the JD.Mortgage Team at Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. (NMLS #75243), based in Colorado Springs. 25+ years, 3,100+ closed loans, Scotsman Guide Top Originator 2026. Lending in 49 states. New York excluded.
Last updated: September 25, 2026. VA program facts sourced from VA Pamphlet 26-7 and 38 CFR Part 36.
Start Your VA Application
It takes about 2 minutes. We pull your COE and review your file on VA guidelines as written.
What are you looking to do?
No SSN required. No credit pull. Takes about 2 minutes.